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Northborough deputy fire chief says Select Board has caused him ‘irreparable harm’
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Vol. 52 | No. 8 | February 20, 2026
The Westborough schools leading the way in composting ‘We have to help the planet’
Sewer treatment plant needs $10.5 million repair
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
WESTBOROUGH | 8 Residents have a new view: concrete and cranes
NORTHBOROUGH – Northborough Deputy Fire Chief Neal Aspesi returned to the hot seat during the Select Board meeting on Feb. 9 following an explosive January meeting where Select Board member Jacob Jones accused Aspesi of misleading residents throughout the process of building a new fire station. The new fire station – approved by Town Meeting in October 2024, and through a townwide ballot on Election Day one month later – will be located at 61-65 West Main Street.
WESTBOROUGH | 12 Grafton Gators spotlight fellow students
Fire Chief | 18
Quinsigamond boaters organize to resolve differences By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Could the “rowers” and “towers” reach a resolution? Once eager to complain about one another, two types of boaters on Lake Quinsigamond are building something resembling the United Nations. What a turn of events. In past months, the Lake Quinsigamond Commission had been bombarded with complaints from “rowers” and “towers,” a term for people who use power-boats for water-skiing and other activities. Both want to use the lake, but the “rowers” were accused of disregarding traffic rules, and the
Fales Elementary’s Chloe, 6, and Ryder, 6, help stack the compostable trays at lunch time. (Photo/Leighah Beausoleil)
GRAFTON | 20
By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor
Ascendance of a high school gymnastics team
WESTBOROUGH – At Annie E. Fales Elementary School, the kindergarteners know exactly what to do. Once they’ve finished their lunch, the students take turns sorting their waste. Some ends up in the trash bin, but much of it – the recyclables, food waste, and trays – can be used for composting. Interns from Post 22, a nonprofit organization in Westborough that works with adults with disabilities, and custodians help manage the bins, ensuring everything is put where it needs to be. Two young “helpers” stack trays so they take up less space in the composting bin. One of those helpers, Ryder, 6, knows his work is “really special.” His composting partner, 6-year-old Chloe, is in
complete agreement: “We have to help the planet,” she told the Community Advocate. For the last three years, Fales and Mill Pond School have made composting and environmental education top priorities. Since 2022, the schools have collected 69.7 tons and 95.76 tons of compost, respectively. Now, the town’s new Sustainability Coordinator Leila Ahmed says she wants to help expand the program to the remaining schools in the district. “I’m here to help them with it,” Ahmed said. “It’s a hard initiative – it’s not easy. But this is the age to let them know how to do it and get it into their brain as a routine.” In the cafeteria, Post 22 interns, kitchen staff, custodians, administration, and students work cohesively to complete the daily composting work – and they’re Compost | 5
Lake Quinsigamond | 18
Weddings 2026
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Riley Sterling Creators.com
Planning a wedding? Check out our bridal guide in this issue. Your local source for all things weddings: Jewelry * Flowers * Cakes * Venues * Honeymoon Ideas
WESTBOROUGH | 30
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